Evaluation with 31 recent user organisations identified key roles for external support with evaluation - in changing attitudes, in achieving consensus about approaches, in sustaining the process, in maintaining morale, in gaining external recognition for the findings, in engaging all stakeholders particularly Management Committees, in translating learning into action.

The most useful aspects of the work with Evaluation Trust have been:

• enhanced understanding about monitoring and evaluation
• practical tools provided for monitoring and evaluation
• a better information base
• the objective data arising from surveys
• ET's involvement with management committees
• presentations at wider forums

The majority had made use of the evaluation work:

• implementing recommendations
• undertaking user surveys
• using evaluation findings in funding applications, in developing strategic plans and to identify gaps in the service

Changes resulting from the evaluation had been:

• changed attitudes towards monitoring and evaluation;
• greater user participation in planning and delivery of the service
• implementing policies

An improved Evaluation Trust service would involve more face to face contact with consultants, more time to be spent with Management Committees, wider promotion of services, improved monitoring of consultants and work.

Key points from local agency partners and funders evaluation completed early in 2002

• Specialist skills offered by ET were valued
• Training been made available to small groups
• Organisations have improved effectiveness
• Organisations have a better sense of direction and purpose
• Examples of benefits - building capacity, shared resources, external perspective attractive, value for money, achievement of quality standards
• Partners believe there are many needs still to be addressed

A sound track-record

The Evaluation Trust has established a sound track record illustrated through the following key achievements:

• Gained three year funding in 1999 from the National Lotteries Charity Board and Lloyds TSB Foundation to work in the South West with small organisations
• Since 1990 the Trust has worked with around 600 community and voluntary organisations and their funders in rural and urban areas, in the UK reaching conservatively 25,000 beneficiaries
• Undertaken participatory evaluation projects for UK national organisations including Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Intermediate Technology, and Kids Club Network.
• From 1995 to 2001 worked extensively in Eastern Europe and Russia mainly through the Charities Aid Foundation Consultants undertaking evaluations of NGO funding programmes for the EU and others, and training consultants and NGOs in participatory monitoring and evaluation. The numbers of beneficiaries is conservatively numbered at 50,000.
• By 2002 the Trust had developed an effective regional project in the South West, networking with and partnering umbrella organisations and funders to meet small organisations needs
• Independent stakeholder evaluation in 2002 gives a clear direction

A more detailed summary is available... alternatively, you may wish to read about the strategic aims and objectives which have been developed and improved in response to this evaluation, and how they fit in to the mission and purpose of the Evaluation Trust.